The battle in the handheld gaming market is ramping up with rumors swirling about Lenovo’s upcoming release of the budget-friendly Legion Go S. According to reliable sources from WinFuture, this device is set to make waves as the first handheld to incorporate AMD’s anticipated Z2G APUs, which are slated for their debut in 2025. It’s expected to boast some impressive specs: a 120 Hz 1080p display, a solid-state drive of 512GB, and 16GB of RAM.
Delving into the technical details, the Ryzen Z2G—standing for Z2 Go—draws its power from AMD’s Rembrandt architecture. It comes packed with eight Zen 3+ CPU cores and an RDNA 2 integrated GPU with 12 Compute Units. While the Z2G may not flaunt the advanced features of the latest Ryzen AI 300 (Strix Point) APUs—or even Phoenix—its design allows for more affordable production, potentially leading to reduced prices for consumers. Tech enthusiasts will recognize the Z2G’s resemblance to AMD’s Ryzen 7 6800U, fitted with a standard 16MB of L3 cache for all of AMD’s octa-core APUs, and 4MB of L2 cache. There might be a slight uptick in clock speeds, currently pegged at 4.7 GHz, but a significant performance leap is unlikely.
Additional specs include 16GB of soldered LPDDR5 memory and a PCIe 4.0 512GB SSD that uses the compact M.2 2242 format. On the connectivity front, the Legion Go S is set to support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Its display will sport an 8-inch 1080p IPS panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate, though it won’t match the deep blacks and vibrant colors of an OLED screen. For comparison, the Steam Deck OLED starts at $549, albeit with a slower APU, highlighting the trade-offs between various options.
A 55.5Wh battery is included, which surpasses that of the original Legion Go. However, the somewhat older architecture might limit its longevity. Luckily, Lenovo offers the Vantage app, allowing users to customize charging thresholds to maximize their battery’s lifespan by operating entirely on AC power if so desired.
On a less positive note, it’s reported that the Legion Go S features integrated controllers, meaning third-party custom options aren’t compatible. Whether these joysticks and triggers utilize Hall Effect technology remains unclear, which could deter hardcore gamers seeking customization flexibility. Some European retailers have hinted at an initial price tag of $650. Without VAT, that adjusts to an estimated $500—a mere $50 less than the Legion Go, despite the latter’s superior APU and display.
Potential buyers could get their first real look at the Lenovo Legion S at CES next month. AMD is also expected to showcase its Z2 line of APUs there, among other innovations. It’s important to note that the final retail price might vary and could be more wallet-friendly when the device officially hits shelves.
